"action, deed, fate"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Sanskrit
Karma
Pronunciation: [ k-AHRM-uh ]
Does Karma flow with your last name?
A Sanskrit cosmic concept name meaning 'action and destiny'
Hindu
Buddhist
Sikh
American
Western
Spiritual
Unique
Modern
Bold
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"cause and effect, cosmic justice"
Origin: Sanskrit/Buddhist
Language: Hindi
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Things to Know About This Name
- The Taylor Swift song 'Karma' (2022) and associated meme culture may feel trendy/dated quickly
- In Western pop culture 'what goes around comes around' can have negative connotations
The Story of Karma
Karma comes from the Sanskrit word कर्म (karma) meaning 'action,' 'work,' or 'deed.' In Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, karma refers to the spiritual principle of cause and effect: one's actions in this and previous lives determine one's future fate. The concept traveled from ancient India through Buddhism into global consciousness, and by the 20th century had been absorbed into Western spirituality and everyday language. As a given name, it carries a sense of cosmic justice and spiritual mindfulness.
Karma as a given name gained momentum with New Age spirituality in the 1970s-90s and saw a major pop culture boost from Taylor Swift's 2022 album track 'Karma.' While historically used more as a girl's name in the West, it appears as a rare but genuine choice for boys in spiritually-minded families.
In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, karma is one of the most fundamental spiritual concepts. As a name it is used in Buddhist-influenced regions of Asia (Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet) for both boys and girls. In the West it has been adopted as a philosophy name reflecting spiritual awareness.
Historical Record
Karma first appeared in US Social Security records in 2002.
Over 254 babies have been named Karma in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Karma is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #6,240 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Karma is a traditional masculine name in Tibetan and Bhutanese culture — one of the most common names in Bhutan
- The word karma has been so thoroughly adopted into English that it appears in major English dictionaries as a loanword
Karma in Other Languages
Hindi
कर्मा
Nepali
कर्म
Tibetan
ཀར་མ
Japanese
カルマ
Sanskrit
कर्म
Popularity Over Time
#6,240
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Karma
K
Karma Pakshi
Religious
1204
The second Karmapa, one of the most important figures in Tibetan Buddhist history
K
Karma (DC Comics) Fictional
Other
Xi'an Coy Manh, Marvel Comics mutant superhero and founding member of the New Mutants
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Compare Karma with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #6,240
- Total SSA Count
- 14
- Cultural Origins
- Hindu Buddhist Sikh American Western
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kar
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Karma
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Karma is also used as a girl name, ranked #1467.
View Karma as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Hindu)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Karma
What does the name Karma mean?
"action, deed, fate" (from Sanskrit). "cause and effect, cosmic justice" (from Sanskrit/Buddhist). Karma comes from the Sanskrit word कर्म (karma) meaning 'action,' 'work,' or 'deed.' In Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, karma refers to the spiritual principle of cause and effect: one's actions in this and previous lives determine one's future fate. The concept traveled from ancient India through Buddhism into global consciousness, and by the 20th century had been absorbed into Western spirituality and everyday language. As a given name, it carries a sense of cosmic justice and spiritual mindfulness.
What is the origin of the name Karma?
Karma has Sanskrit, Sanskrit/Buddhist, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, American, and Western origins. In Sanskrit, it means "action, deed, fate". In Sanskrit/Buddhist, it means "cause and effect, cosmic justice".
Is Karma a boy or girl name?
Karma is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #6240. As a girl name, it is ranked #1467. Karma is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Karma?
Karma is pronounced k-AHRM-uh.
How popular is the name Karma?
Karma is currently ranked #6240 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Karma?
Common nicknames for Karma include Kar.
What are good middle names for Karma?
Popular middle name pairings include Karma James, Karma Lee, Karma Ray, Karma Bodhi, Karma Zen, and Karma Reed.
What are good sibling names for Karma?
Names that pair well with Karma as siblings include Bodhi, Dharma, Zen, Zara, Phoenix, Nova, River, and Sage.
How many syllables does Karma have?
Karma has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Karma a common or rare name?
Karma is an uncommon name, ranked #6240 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Karma?
About the Name Karma
Karma is a boy name with Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, American, and Western origins . The name means "action, deed, fate" in Sanskrit .
Is Karma a boy or girl name? Karma is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #6,240 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #1,467. Karma is more commonly used as a girl name.
Karma is currently ranked #6,240 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Karma has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AHRM-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Karma include Kar. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Karma include Karmelo, Karmello . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis